Hampshire v Lancashire LVCC Day 4 14th July

Andrew Flintoff hit the winning runs as Lancashire are victorious over Hampshire on Day 4 at The Rose Bowl

Flintoff seals Lancashire win

(ECB Match Report)

Andrew Flintoff hit the winning runs as Lancashire breezed to their third LV County Championship win of the season at The Rose Bowl, defeating Hampshire by six wickets.

Flintoff continued his search for fitness and form with a typically blistering attack on the Hampshire bowling.

When Flintoff struck Greg Lamb's off-spin for the winning boundary at the start of the 37th over, the England all-rounder had shown he was ready for the challenge of returning to the international side having scythed struck three sixes and three fours 23 balls in racing to 39 not out from 23 balls.

Flintoff, who expects to be recalled for the second Test at Headingley Carnegie next week, came in with Lancashire still requiring 75 to complete their demolition of the home side.

But the 30-year-old, who got off the mark with a sketchy shot in the air over midwicket, and his captain Stuart Law put on 73 for the fourth wicket in only eight overs to snuff out Hampshire hopes of a collapse.

Law was out to a catch by Michael Brown at midwicket to give South African newcomer Rory Kleinveldt his first English wicket, but the end was only delayed for Flintoff to score the winning runs.

Chasing a total of 163 for victory, Lancashire began the final day already powerfully placed at 34 without loss.

But opening batsmen Paul Horton went with the score 61 to a smart low catch by Michael Lumb at first slip.

And five runs later, Dimitri Mascarenhas took his second wicket of the morning and his eighth of the match when Lou Vincent was snapped up at point by Lamb.

Lancashire's third wicket fell at 88 when Francois Du Plessis was leg before without offering a shot in James Tomlinson's first over, however that brought Flintoff to the crease to join his captain in what proved to be the match-winning partnership.

Flintoff's first six sailed over long-on off Mascharenas, and he followed that with successive fours off Tomlinson.

Kleinveldt was driven by Flintoff for a straight six into the pavilion soon afterwards and Flintoff's final big hit took a delivery from Lamb on to the terracing over midwicket as Hampshire capitulated.

Flintoff said: “We were chasing 160-odd and when I came in we needed about 75. I could have ground it out or attacked and I chose to attack. That is a philosophy which has stood me in good stead.

“It was nice to get a few runs again and it was never easy on a slow wicket.

“My bowling is fine and my injuries are no different now from any other Lancashire player except a little stiffness.”

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